New Zealand PM believes 40 people dead in shooting

At least forty people were killed and more than 20 seriously wounded in shootings at two mosques in New Zealand on Friday, in what Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said was a terrorist attack.

Michelle Hennessy reports.

New Zealand PM believes 40 people dead in shooting

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Multiple people were killed when at least one gunman opened fire at two different mosques in New Zealand on Friday (March 15).

Witnesses told local media a man dressed in a camouflage outfit and carrying an automatic rifle started shooting people at random - at the Al Noor mosque in the city of Christchurch.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said one suspect is in custody, but that others could be involved.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER JACINDA ARDERN, SAYING: "Many of those who will have been directly affected by this shooting may be migrants to New Zealand, they may even be refugees here.

They have chosen to make New Zealand their home, and it is their home.

They are us.

The person who has perpetuated this violence against us is not.

They have no place in New Zealand.

There is no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme and unprecedented violence, which it is clear this act was." One witness said he'd seen several victims: (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED WITNESS, SAYING: "I saw one gun on the floor and police was stopping here.

There were lots of people died, injured." Police have been deployed across Christchurch, and have advised people to stay away from mosques.